Brockton to welcome 2009 with a Blast

Tuesday

Dec 30, 2008 at 12:01 AMDec 30, 2008 at 1:31 AM

The city’s bid to revive a public New Year’s Eve celebration and once again make downtown Brockton a destination begins at 3 p.m. Wednesday and continues until the fireworks welcome in 2009 at midnight.

Elaine Allegrini

The clock is ticking, the expectation of a new year is building and the Blast into 2009 is about to begin.

The city’s bid to revive a public New Year’s Eve celebration and once again make downtown Brockton a destination begins at 3 p.m. Wednesday and continues until the fireworks welcome in 2009 at midnight.

“It’s good for the city,” said Councilor-at-Large Thomas Brophy.

A cultural event like the Blast into 2009 does much to boost spirits during tough times, he said.

That warm and fuzzy feeling may be needed to warm the bodies of partygoers on what is predicted to be a frigid night with temperatures dipping into the single digits after a snowfall of 2 to 5 inches.

Neither the temperatures nor the early snow should deter any of the activities, but Fire Chief Kenneth Galligan said the wind is another story.

“The weather could be working against a lot of things,” he said, especially the fireworks.

Fire officials expect to make a last-minute call on the fireworks which will be called off if snow is falling or if winds are 20 miles an hour or more.

“It’s a shame, not only Brockton but other communities run the risk of whatever the weather brings,” Galligan said.

Most of the activities will be inside City Hall and a large heated tent outside the building.

“I think it’s going to be a success,” said Mablene Bennett, who will be there to help organize the children’s activities. Forget the weather, she said, Boston celebrates every year in some very open venues despite the weather.

“It’s something good, it’s something to do,” Bennett said. “That’s one of the main complaints you get, there’s nothing to do in the city.” If they come, they will have a good time, she promised.

Buttons bearing the design of a Brockton High School student are available for $5 at the mayor’s office and downtown businesses. There’s a free beverage for button-holders, T-shirts for the first 250 to buy a button and discounts at eateries and restaurants.

But, admission to the party is free. Food will be offered at minimal cost.

The mayor’s office is putting final touches on the planning with help from a citizens’ committee that includes members of the Diversity Commission and Bridgewater State College students.

“It looks like it’s going to be fun,” said Anne McCormack, director of elderly services, and a volunteer on the city’s original New Year’s Eve celebration more than a decade ago. After being taken over by a private organization, the event succumbed to money problems.

This is different, said organizer Moises Rodrigues, the city’s community services director, who’s looking to bring back a community celebration a decade later.

He expects to spend $12,000 from the state grant to the Cultural Council and put on a party that will build support and financial assistance in future years.

“Like anything new, the first year is important,” said John Merian, a downtown merchant and president of the Downtown Brockton Association, who sees the party as a compliment to the downtown eateries and bars that will also celebrate New Year’s Eve. “It’s a great way to get a tremendous amount of community involvement for a short amount of money, especially at a time when people need things to feel good about,” he said. “It’s a great investment.”